The Lead with Jake Tapper

Months after losing their homes and belongings to Hurricane Helene, families are telling CNN they are still living in limbo unsure of how long the government will help them with hotels as they try to get back on their feet. Plus, new Republican senators come out against President Trump’s pick for secretary of defense Pete Hegseth.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic...

Just days after getting pardoned by Donald Trump, some January 6th defendants can soon return to the scene of the crime after being invited by a group of House Republicans. Plus, Prince Harry’s lawsuit is settled with a British tabloid and a look at the alleged illegal tactics of phone hacking.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Criticism rises for President Trump’s sweeping pardons for January 6th criminals including those who violently attacked law enforcement officers. Some Republicans are calling the pardons outright wrong but others are focusing their blame on Joe Biden for his pardons including of his family.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A major change of plans for the second inauguration of Donald Trump as plans for an outdoor swearing in have been scraped due to frigid cold temperatures. Plus, the United States Supreme Court is allowing the controversial TikTok ban to remain in place. So, how will it be enforced?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A fragile plan is tentatively still in place as disagreements lead to a delay on the final vote for a ceasefire-hostage deal. We bring you new reaction this hour. Plus, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders joins to discuss updates in the Trump nominee confirmation hearings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel and Hamas have reached phase one of a hostage and ceasefire deal. The news was met with joyous celebrations in Gaza and at gatherings at hostage square in Tel Aviv. President Biden confirmed the deal this afternoon noting that it was made possible by negotiators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New danger zones emerge in the Los Angeles area amid fears the dangerous winds are about to pick back up. Plus, lingering questions about the water supply in Los Angeles. Also, could Elon Musk take over TikTok?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire deal. Plus, officials in Los Angeles are warning residents to make their evacuation plans now after increasing extreme winds are raising the danger of spreading wildfires.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More deaths and more property scorched as the relentless fires continue to burn in California. We are standing by to get updates from authorities. Plus, a historic day in court as President-elect Trump is sentenced in the New York hush money case. Also, the Supreme Court hears a case that could mean the end of TikTok in the United States.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...

The biggest fire right now remains the Palisades Fire near Santa Monica, burning more than 17,000 acres. Today, officials are facing questions and criticism over the city’s response to the fires. We speak with the Los Angeles County fire chief. Plus, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks to CNN after announcing his resignation. And President Joe Biden addresses the massive California wildf...

Apocalyptic scenes across the Los Angeles area as four out-of-control, unconfined wildfires quickly sweep through this heavily populated region. Officials are telling residents to be ready to evacuate their homes at a moment’s notice. The fires have already killed at least two people and injured countless others in just a matter of hours.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...

An election win officially certified today. President-elect Donald Trump, one step closer to taking office again. January 6, today, nothing like January 6, 2021, when Mr. Trump's supporters violently stormed the US Capitol, disrupting what should have been a peaceful process. Plus, Trump's new right-hand man, Elon Musk, now going after top European leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keri Starmer...

Protest votes before Mike Johnson is re-elected as House speaker. Message sent today by a handful of Republicans, but was it received? And in New Orleans, barriers on Bourbon Street that were not there before, might they been able to stop the terrorist attack that killed 14 innocent people? Plus, the links between alcohol and cancer, risks apparently so urgent the US Surgeon General today, calling...

As Bourbon Street reopens and a major football game kicks off, new details emerge about the deadly New Years day terror attack that killed 14 people. We examine the timeline, new surveillance footage, and chilling details about witnesses who likely saw key evidence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The tributes are pouring in to honor the life and legacy of former President Jimmy Carter who died yesterday at the age of 100. We bring you details of his official state funeral in Washington DC. Tonight, a look at his lasting foreign policy initiatives, his life in the White House, his family, and his humanitarian work post presidency.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...

Delta Airlines is under major security scrutiny after a person with no ticket or boarding pass gets on a flight. This is the second time this has happened to Delta in just five weeks. Plus, health officials discover changes to the virus in the person who currently has the most severe case of bird flu in the United States.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What brought down a passenger jet on Christmas Day? Signs are pointing to Russian anti-aircraft fire and United States officials are now weighing in. Plus, Donald Trump’s aggressive Christmas message, it wasn’t holly and jolly for Panama, Canada, or Greenland.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More dramatic scenes in New York as Luigi Mangione is back in court, this time to face state charges. We break down what Mangione’s lawyer is accusing prosecutors of and why she’s going after New York City mayor Eric Adams. Plus, the House Ethics Committee releases its damning report about former Congressman Matt Gaetz.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A tragedy is unfolding now in Germany after driver plowed his car through a crowded Christmas market about 90 miles southwest of Berlin. Plus, sources say the House of Representatives is expected to vote this hour on a series of bills to avoid a government shutdown.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are less than 48 hours from a federal shutdown the United States. CNN is learning lawmakers are emerging from House Speaker Johnson’s office saying that there is an agreement between Republicans on a funding plan that could avoid a shutdown.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a surprise reversal and secret vote, the House Ethics Committee decides to release its repot on Matt Gaetz, the original Trump pick for attorney general. What did the committee learn about the allegations of sexual misconduct? Plus, a Trump ally in Congress recommends that Liz Cheney should be criminally prosecuted. Is this the beginning of criminally prosecuting people who opposed Trump?  Lear...

Luigi Mangione has now been charged with first degree murder in the death of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. Prosecutors released an 11 count indictment. Mangione faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New details about today’s tragic school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. A law enforcement source now tells CNN the shooter was a female teenage student at a private K-12 school. Plus, Tulsi Gabbard declines to answer if she regrets meeting with Bashar al-Assad, the former president of Syria. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New mysterious drone sightings, first in New Jersey and now beyond. Even a sitting U.S. senator has seen them. What is behind them and why won’t anybody tell us? Plus, a major change of plans in the investigation into the CEO killing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A slew of questions emerge surrounding mysterious drone sightings. Should Americans be worried? Should the United States military shoot them down? Who is controlling them? Plus, after pardoning his own son, President Biden sets a record by granting clemency for 1,500 people.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices